24 July 2014

It might seem a strange question to ask gardeners - but it's not! Each year a small group of people wander the nearby forests and raid each others' gardens collecting the best of winter growth to decorate the Fayre.

The huge but cosy and warm marquees are decked with huge displays of eucalypts and winter flowering boughs of camellias. Large sprays of wattles and leucodendrons bring colour to every corner.
This year the Fayre is on Sunday 27 July - that's Sunday coming. The forecast is for sunshine and crisp temperatures - perfect conditions to enjoy the day.

Come and stroll around, glass of wine in hand and admire the flowers as you taste exquisite local produce.

16 June 2014

Have you tried to create grass paths through your garden? It's quite a feat. Our 'lawns' are created when all the weedy grasses (or grassy weeds) join together and create a beautiful green patch.

Grassy weeds gradually form a path

I have been nurturing the grassy weeds along the paths to create rivers (well, creeks) of green through the garden. They are not watered and so they die in the summer, but most of the year they meander like green threads of tapestry through the garden.

They are a bit time-intensive, as the edges need regular spading to maintain the integrity of the path and to prevent the weeds from spreading into the garden. The grass has finally covered the paths, edge to edge, to form green thoroughfares.

Recently, strolling round the garden, I noticed the edges of the paths turning an ugly brown. As time passed, the answer was obvious. I had a 'helper' assisting me to maintain the edges. Oh dear, all that work transplanting clods of grass to fill in the gaps, careful spading to create the right curve................

18 April 2014

What a wonderful weekend! It was a delight to meet so many people and have the opportunity to share our gardens in Glenlyon. Thankyou all for coming.

But dear visitors, please accept my apologies. Whilst accompanying you around 'Greenlion', I incorrectly identified a plant. The purple plant near the house is not statice, as I'm sure some of you realised, but Verbena Bonariensis.

13 April 2014

Another fabulously beautiful day and hundreds more lovely people in town. Our gardeners are exhausted and very pleased to have met all the lovely people who came to view their gardens - thank you visitors.

Parking directions at Viszla Lak

And an absolutely huge thank you to all our gardeners who has spent months of time, effort and funds creating these wonderful, diverse gardens. The money raised at this season's Gardens of Glenlyon goes towards the funds being raised to renovate the Glenlyon Hall.

And thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who worked so hard to make the weekend the success it was.

Next gig - Gardens of Glenlyon: winter 2015. Keep an eye out for info in about 12 months time or go on our email list.

9 April 2014

It's been raining for more than 24 hours now. The gardeners are so pleased to have the water, but a little disgruntled they can't get into their gardens at the moment. The weather bureau says it will NOT be wet on the weekend, so we are looking forward to welcoming you all to our gardens.

6 April 2014

During Gardens of Glenlyon seed-saver extraordinaire Rosemary Stevenson will have vegetable, herb and flower seeds for sale.

Rosemary has been an avid gardener all her life, and a heritage seed curator for about 20 years.

She is co-ordinator of the Pyrenees Grampians Seed Savers network, and for the past 10 years has been trialling and testing varieties suitable for the local climatic area. The PGSS have saved several unique locally developed vegetables and have an annual seed exchange and workshops. These are free events usually held in Ballarat or Stawell. People bring food to share, often made with their own produce.

Before moving to Elmhurst, Rosemary was involved in Canberra Organic Growers and helped to set up the seed bank with that group, and was co-ordinator of one of the community gardens COG managed.

She is a member of Biodynamic Gardeners and has always grown plants organically.

Rosemary says, the increasingly erratic climate and ever increasing costs of water and fuel has forced her to cut back on production of seeds, but she still grows out quite a variety.

We're lucky to have Rosemary join us for GoG - she used to sell at farmers markets but now appears only at some community events and special events - like ours!

If you can't make it to the Glenlyon Hall during Gardens of Glenlyon you can contact Rosemary by email or tel 03 5354 8393.

31 March 2014

GARDENS OF GLENLYON allows you to see seven gardens evolve over time and through the seasons- Summer 2012, Autumn 2014, Winter 2015 and Spring 2016.

Located in one of the most picturesque parts of Victoria, the gardens fit comfortably into the beautiful landscape.

The gardeners have some major obstacles to tackle: Back breaking clay soils, gale force winds, heavy frosts, floods, prolonged droughts and varmints such as bush rats, deer, rabbits, hares, wallabies and cockatoos.

Find out how these gardeners take a sustainable approach to gardening in this relatively unspoilt part of the country.

DOLL'S PADDOCK 38 Morton St Dee & Tony Briscomb

Nestling into the side of a hill is this elegant, beautifully designed 1 acre garden with haybale house. Key features are curving gravel paths, stone walls, established deciduous trees, perennial borders and a cascading rill. Volcanic soil. Check out the well designed veggie patch.

Join the walk along the Kangaroo Highway on the Loddon River and observe the revegetation work undertaken on the river.

GUEST GARDENS

INDULGENCE Gooch Court Wheatsheaf Suchada Hongsananda

Innovative 4 acre garden, with a "Room Outside" approach to garden design. European trees and shrubs meld beautifully with Australian plants in loosely grouped clusters, with wide informal paths linking them together. The large ornamental lake is a prominent feature, with ducks, geese and guinea fowl strutting on the banks. Quirky, humorous sculptures dot the garden, bringing a smile to the face of the observer. Rich red volcanic and black loam soils.

WALLABY CREEK 41 Matts Lane Coomoora Jenny and Ian Jordan

Tucked in behind a hedge of roses is this delightful 2 acre woodland garden. Rare and unusual established conifers and deciduous trees form a parkland, with swathes of perennials skirting the periphery. The property slopes gently to the Wallaby Creek. Delightful hand crafted gates, elegant pot plants and metal sculptures add a touch of refinement. Red volcanic soils.

Many of the unusual plants are labelled.

Tickets at the Glenlyon Hall. $5 per garden or $25 the lot. Free entry to Ellender Estate. Great food at Ellender Estate and the Glenlyon General Store.

Loos at the Glenlyon Hall. Please don't ask the gardeners if you can use their loos - they are all on limited water and septic tanks.

What is Gardens of Glenlyon?

‘Gardens of Glenlyon’ gives people the opportunity to see our beautiful part of the world and explore a range of gardens, from formal home gardens to rambling bush estates. Visitors will see how gardeners of this area have addressed the diversity of soil types, microclimates and site locations.
Gardens of Glenlyon: Summer was held in December 2012; Autumn in April 2014. Winter will be 29-30 August 2015 and the final GoG will be on 15 and 16 October 2016 when we celebrate Spring.